Milestones

Local Firefighter Praised As Hero

Ladder Company 175 firefighters pose after the rescue of an elderly man from a burning home. Pictured, from left to right: Mike Beehler, Captain Patrick Ginty, Robert Maeder, Michael Clifford, Chris Stout and Glenn Franke.
A local firefighter is being praised as a hero after assisting in the rescue of an elderly man trapped in a burning home.

Michael Clifford, a Belle Harbor resident, is an eight-year firefighter for Ladder Company 175 in East New York, Brooklyn. According to his fire captain, Clifford was called to a 2 a.m. fire at a private home in East New York in late January. An elderly man was found unconscious on the first floor. With the help of his captain, Clifford removed the man from the home. The victim was administered first aid and is expected to recover.

This is not the first time Clifford has been a hero. In the summer of 2005, while off-duty, he rescued a mentally challenged teenager who was caught in rough surf while boogey-boarding in Neponsit. The story was covered by The Wave.

Clifford is the husband of Cynthia Clifford and father to Aidan, 4, and Nina, who turns 3 on Valentine's Day.